Jaw-thrust maneuver

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Demonstration of the jaw-thrust maneuver

The jaw-thrust maneuver is a technique used in first aid and emergency medicine to open the airway of an unconscious patient. It is particularly useful in situations where a cervical spine injury is suspected, as it minimizes movement of the neck.

Technique

The jaw-thrust maneuver is performed by kneeling at the patient's head and placing the index and middle fingers of each hand behind the angles of the patient's mandible. The thumbs are placed on the chin to stabilize the jaw. The mandible is then lifted upwards and forwards, which helps to displace the tongue away from the back of the throat, thereby opening the airway.

This maneuver is often used in conjunction with the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver in situations where spinal injury is not a concern. However, in trauma patients, the jaw-thrust is preferred to avoid potential exacerbation of a spinal injury.

Indications

The jaw-thrust maneuver is indicated in:

• Unconscious patients who require airway management.
• Patients with suspected cervical spine injury.
• Situations where the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is contraindicated.

Limitations

While the jaw-thrust maneuver is effective in opening the airway, it may not be sufficient in all cases. In some patients, additional airway adjuncts such as an oropharyngeal airway or nasopharyngeal airway may be necessary to maintain patency.

Related pages

• Airway management
• Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
• Basic life support
• Advanced trauma life support